IRS agent indicted in sex assault

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

‘HE DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS’: IRS agent James Clarke, 44, was indicted on rape charges stemming from an incident that took place, in part, at the Government Center Garage, above.

A Boston IRS agent accused of sexually assaulting a handcuffed college student at gunpoint inside his government-owned car last summer was indicted on rape charges yesterday, prompting one Bay State congressman to vow to launch an inquiry into the agency’s handling of the incident.

James Clarke, 44, an IRS agent based out of the agency’s Boston office, was charged with aggravated rape, rape, indecent assault and battery, strangulation and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office.

Clarke allegedly invited the college student out for drinks on the night of July 26, 2017, then offered to drive her to South Station to catch a train, according to Conley’s office, citing the indictments.

But while they were sitting inside his IRS-owned car at the Government Center Garage, Clarke allegedly handcuffed the 21-year-old and “assaulted her with his service firearm and subjected her to sexual acts against her will,” Conley’s office said.

Another “assaultive act” took place inside the vehicle while they were outside South Station, according to Conley’s office.

Prosecutors say the victim immediately called police and was treated at a hospital. The investigation included multiple interviews, forensic testing, a review of medical records and a grand jury presentation, Conley’s office said.

Clarke is expected to plead not guilty at his arraignment April 5, according to his attorney, Michael Doolin.

“James Clarke has cooperated with the investigation since this incident happened,” Doolin told the Herald. “He denies the allegations. And he looks forward to going into court and to being vindicated.”

Doolin declined to comment further.

The IRS wouldn’t comment at all yesterday, refusing to answer even basic questions about the case.

The agency wouldn’t say whether Clarke is still employed with the agency or if he was still reporting to work as the case unfolded.

“We decline comment,” said the IRS spokeswoman, who also requested that her name not be used in this story because “it’s not my statement” but “an IRS statement.”

U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch told the Herald last night his office will probe the agency’s handling of the incident.

“This case is deeply troubling on many levels,” Lynch said. “The charges portray a vicious attack upon a defenseless victim by someone who has been placed in a position of trust, and it is important to get more information on what concrete steps were immediately taken to protect the victim and others after the allegations were made public.”

Clarke was summonsed, rather than arrested, which is the typical procedure for similar cases, a Conley spokesman said.

“The defendant met with investigators and remained available through counsel as the investigation moved forward,” Conley spokesman Jake Wark said in a statement. “Since courts are unlikely to issue a warrant without any indication of a flight risk, continuing to indictment and a summons was the appropriate step.”